The Official Blog of The Star Sydney Business and Events

CASE STUDY: Sony Foundation

In October 2014, the Australian music industry celebrated 30 years of Denis Handlin AM leading Sony Music Entertainment Australia with a gala charity event in support of the Sony Foundation of Australia at The Star Event Centre. Denis Handlin is the Chairman & CEO, Australia & New Zealand and President, Asia of Sony Music Entertainment and joined the company in 1970 and has been leading it since 1984. The expansive venue was converted into a world-class performance space to welcome over 700 of Australia’s leading music and entertainment industry personalities to celebrate the occasion.

Upon arrival guests were treated to cocktails in the Event Centre foyer to prepare for a night of entertainment from some of Australia’s and the world’s leading artists. Guests were welcomed into the Event Centre to take their seats at banquet tables that were each positioned to enjoy unobstructed views of the stage for all the entertainment.

Australian television personalities: Richard Wilkins AM, Karl Stefanovic and Samantha Armytage welcomed guests to the celebration and collaborated to be the perfect hosts for the evening for which the Sony Foundation launched their new fundraising initiative through a special endowment fund to support families who have benefited from the Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp Program.

The evening was a great success with the Sony Foundation raising over their $200,000 target.

Alan Jones AO and international guests Rob Stringer – Chairman and CEO, Columbia Records and Edgar Berger – Chairman and CEO, International, Sony Music Entertainment, took to the stage throughout the night to congratulate Mr Handlin and share memories on how the music industry has transformed over the last three decades.

As the venue of choice, the Event Centre’s state-of-the-art audio-visual and technical capabilities were on show with the best in the business, as local and international stars including Jessica Mauboy, Guy Sebastian, The Veronicas, Delta Goodrem and Justice Crew, alongside international superstar, The Script, entertained the 700 strong crowd.

Guests were treated to a three course meal that included grain fed Angus beef, followed by a dessert of either mango pudding or vanilla panacotta.

Throughout the six months preparation The Star’s team worked in close partnership with the Sony Music Australia team, with daily phone calls, weekly face to face meetings and countless emails. It all culminated the in the successful collaboration, the celebratory event that was a resounding success.

Sony Music Australia praised the professionalism of the event team, for their ability to deal with all last minute surprises in a considered and efficient manner, not impacting the delivery of the high profile event.